Join a chat on the Detroit Lions at 2 p.m. on Thursday. They will be hours away from playing their final preseason game. Final cuts to 53 are due Saturday. Plenty to dicuss.

Welcome to today's chat on the Lions. Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. for final preseason game tonight. It's final chance for some guys on the bubble. Final cuts due at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Ask any questions ... let's have some fun ...

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:03:19 PM

Hi Paula, lets get this out of the way, i see the lions going at least 11 wins 5 loses

by Randy9/1/2016 6:03:24 PM

That's pretty optimistic. Certainly a possibility. I think their chances of winning one or two more games might have improved with the unfortunate injury to the Vikings' Teddy Bridgewater. .... This is my eighth straight season of covering team as a beat writer -- and I never know what to think.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:05:01 PM

Hi!!! Paula

by Larry9/1/2016 6:05:07 PM

Hi, Larry!!

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:05:12 PM

Just a reminder that next Thursday we'll start these chats at 3 p.m. and will continue at that time throughout the season.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:05:52 PM

If you missed it, Lions made one transaction today. They re-signed WR Quinshad Davis after they cut him on Monday. They released LB Chi Chi Ariguzo. ... I think they want to get a look at Davis tonight. I don't think he'll make 53-man roster but has a chance at the practice squad.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:07:11 PM

Pettigrew have to miss first six weeks or still time to take him off PUP

by Larry9/1/2016 6:07:15 PM

They placed Pettigrew on reserve/PUP this week. That means he has to miss first 6 weeks of season. He still has not practiced after tearing ACL in December. ... I was shocked they cut Matthew Mulligan, a veteran blocking TE.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:08:17 PM

My guess is that Andre Roberts and TJ Jones will be fourth and fifth WRs on 53-man roster. We may see quite a bit of them tonight.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:09:27 PM

Ho Paula, I went to Saturday's game and it was disappointing. I know it is preseason, but so many years of errors, the call against Reiff, ... ugh

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:09:31 PM

Certainly they didn't look good. The penalties were the killers. They had 8 in the first half but then just one in the second half. Still that's too much. The offensive line had its share although overall they played better. ... I do think this offense can put up points. And I do think it's wise to remember that it is the preseason. But I was expecting more too.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:11:35 PM

Once every 30 years they exceed my expectations.

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:11:38 PM

You and every other fan. It's SO hard to tell. The offense should be better. Stafford has looked good in camp, I think they'll run the ball better. The O-line should be a little improved and since they're so young would expect them to get better week to week. The defense should be better automatically with DeAndre Levy. Haloti Ngata has really looked good in the preseason. Several rookies will contribute too.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:13:21 PM

Do you anticipate the Lions to win a shootout versus Indy?

by Sank9/1/2016 6:13:25 PM

I haven't looked too close at that matchup yet. It doesn't look like Indy has done much to improve its offfensive line. Golden Tate said he started to watch film of the Colts but not sure yet who they will have starting as their DBs. It would be huge for the Lions confidence if they could start with a road game.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:14:40 PM

I was upset with the call not him protecting Matt.

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:14:47 PM

I think that was a doubtful call. I do think Reiff will be better this year. It looks like right tackle might suit him better.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:15:29 PM

Fantasy drafts this weekend, can I stay away from my team?

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:15:34 PM

I don't know. I have friends who just won't draft Lions because they think they don't score enough.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:15:59 PM

We ply 3 mediocre defenses in the 1st 4 weeks. If Staff can control clock with short passing game and limit the opposing QB's possessions. Colts , Titans and Bears are all winnable.

by Larry9/1/2016 6:16:48 PM

I totally agree Larry. I think the no-huddle and up-tempo offense could help. They want to tire out defenses and by not going to a huddle opposing defenses won't have time to get matchups they want.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:17:58 PM

Their schedule should put them in the playoffs.

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:18:05 PM

That's what it looks like now but usually there are surprise teams each season. Will the Lions sneak up on everyone this year? We will see.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:18:37 PM

I want to remind everyone , we wee 4-0 preseason in the year we went 0-16

by Larry9/1/2016 6:18:44 PM

That's why it's good to never get too upset in the preseason. Those pick-6s that Orlovsky threw? I don't think he would have attempted them in the regular season. The first 2 games they did no game-planning at all. I've told numerous fans to RELAX in the last few weeks.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:19:53 PM

Do you think the Lions have a shot at being the 2nd best team and perhaps winning the division now that Minnesota has been weakened?

by Sank9/1/2016 6:20:02 PM

I would say so. Expectations were really high for Vikings. If they go with Shaun Hill at QB they will win some games, but he certainly doesn't have the mobility of Bridgewater ... I'm not impressed with the Bears (I think I say that every September). ... I wouldn't count the Lions out.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:21:09 PM

I know your shocked for this and someone is shocked for that, but dont you think the staff know what they are doing, i put my faith in Bob Quin and jim

by Randy9/1/2016 6:21:19 PM

Oh yes, I know that Quinn and his staff know what they're doing - it's just not clear for me to see it yet. Mulligan seemed to be a good blocking TE and with Pettigrew out and Ebron maybe out I thought Mulligan would stick at least until Pettigrew got back. Maybe they think Cole Wick can handle the lead. I'm not sure and they won't be specific.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:22:47 PM

Lions against the Zebras, Colts escape by the distraction.

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:23:00 PM

That's one way to look at it.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:23:21 PM

I always expect them to play well. Hard to beat their reputation.

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:23:30 PM

I don't kneel before GB.

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:24:00 PM

You can still use the entire play clock going no huddle, Manning was the master of that technique

by Larry9/1/2016 6:24:08 PM

Yes he was and Caldwell and Jim Bob Cooter both worked with Manning so they have a background of using it.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:24:30 PM

I will never forget that, Larry

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:24:32 PM

And they were so disorganized the first game, in '08

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:24:43 PM

Hard to relax ayt dress rehearsal ehen it is 30 yards from you

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:24:52 PM

despite the negative press, both Reiff and Swanson look much improved. Decker is not out of place despite being a rookie. Warford will come back to form with playing time

by Larry9/1/2016 6:25:04 PM

I agree that the line has been better at protecting Stafford and run blocking. Decker has REALLY improved since the start of camp and I think Reiff will be better at right tackle. Reiff is playing with an edge - he broke 2 chinstraps on the first day of full pads. I think Warford will be fine. Also, I think Travis Swanson has worked really hard to improve.

by Paula Pasche 9/1/2016 6:26:50 PM

I would have kept Mulligan

by Kedavis4109/1/2016 6:26:53 PM

See? I'm not alone. ... It's just hard to see what the plan is now. They can hope that a good TE is cut on Saturday but we all know that hope is not a strategy.